Capsule machine



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

F. A. HUBEL & J. M. SMITH.

CAPSULE MACHINE.

ANDREW RGRAHAM. PHOTO-UTMQWASM NGI'O N. D C

4 SheetS- S-heetB. P. HUBEL & J. M. SMITH.

. (No Model.)

V Patented Mar. 24, 1896.

CAPSULE MAGHINB. No. 557,073.

FIG. 2

AN DREW EGRNMM. PHDTO-UTNQWASHIN EI'ON. D C

(No Model.) I v 4 Sheets-Sheet 3. F. A. HUBEL 8v J. M. SMITH.

CAPSULE MACHINE.

No. 557,073. Patented Mar. 24, 1896.

INVENTOQZS v QMJ jig $98K? I mopcw mum.mmuuimmumaron n c (No Model.) v 4Sheets-Sheet 4'. F. A.- HUBEL & J. M. SMITH. CAPSULE MACHINE No.557,073. Pate nted Mar. 24, 1896.

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UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

FREDERICK A. I'IUDEL AND JESSE H. SMITH, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN; SAIDSHITII ASSIGNOR TO SAID HUBEL.

CAPSULE-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 557,073, dated March24, 1896.

Application fil d January 20, 1894. Serial No. 497,551. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FREDERICK A. HUBEL and J ESSE M. SMITH, citizens ofthe United States, residing at Detroit, county of \Vayne, State ofMichigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Capsule-Outting Machines; and we declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of thisspecification.

This invention relates to capsule-cutting machines, and has for itsobject improvements in that class of machines in which a capsule istrimmed and stripped from the mold upon which it is formed.

The special object. of the improvement is to produce aperfectly-symmetrical evenlytrimmed capsule which shall be accurate insize and holding,capacity, and which shall have its edges smooth andtrue without being torn or broken.

Another object of our invention is to produce a machine which shall trimand strip the capsule from the mold at one operation.

In the drawings, Figure 1, Sheet 1, shows a front view of the machine.Fig. 2, Sheet 2, shows a view of the right-hand side of the machine.Fig. 3, Sheet 3, shows a vertical section of the machine at right anglesto the main shaft; Fig. 4, Sheet 4, shows a top view of the machine withthe spreader-head removed. Fig. 5, Sheet 4, shows a horizontal sectionat line mm, Fig. 1. Fig. 6, Sheet 3, is an enlarged horizontal sectionof the cutter and pusharms, showing their relation to each other and toa capsule-mold pin. Fig. 7 ,Sheet 2, shows a plan view of the clutchmechanism, showing the inclined lugs and actuating-springs.

The object of the invention is to cut off the end of the capsule to theproper length and to push back the refuse so cut off and leave it apartfrom the capsule' The capsule is formed by covering the moldpin of thedesired shape with a film of gelatine or other substance. One or more ofthese mold-pins are secured to a plate, and one or more of these platesare operated upon by the machine. In the drawings, a machine is shown tooperate upon one mold plate .carryin g eighteen mold-pins, but themachine'may be enlarged to operate on any number of moldplates, carryingany number of pins desired Without departing from the invention.

In this invention the capsules are cut to the proper length by acircular cutter whose cutting-edge rolls on the surface of the moldpinand is held to its work by a yielding pressure in the manner set forthin the patent of Frederick A. Hubel, dated February 13, 187 7 No.187,279. In the machine of said patent, as used in practice, the cutter,besides being used to out, was also used to push back the refusematerial, resulting in rapid and uneven wear of the cutting-edge. In thepresent invention the cutter is only used for cutting, and is then heldback while the push-lips are let into the cut and push'the refuse back.

In the drawings, A A are the side pieces of the frame, properlyconnected together by the top plate B, cross-bar O, and rods D to formthe framework.

E is a table secured to a plate F, which is adjustably secured to'aplate G. The plate F is connected to the frame by means of verticaladjustable guideways II formed in the frame, which permit a verticalmotion of the plate and itstable E. (SeeFig. 5.) The plate G has formedon it journal-bearings I in which the shaft J revolves. On the shaft Jare rollers K, which roll on the cams L secured to the main shaft M,which shaft is journaled in the frame. The vertical motion of the tableE is thus controlled by the cam L.

A single cam L and roller K may be used, but I prefer two.

In order to regulate the length of the capsules the table E and itsplate F are made vertically adjustable with reference to the plate G.The means shown in the drawings for obtaining this adjustment consist oftwo screws N N, intermediate between the bearings I 1, fixed to theplate G and the plate F.

Each screw has fixed to it a pinion O, which engages a gear-wheel Pfixed to the shaft Q. The shaft Q is journaled in lugs formed on theplate F, and has fixed to it a handle R, by which it and the gear-wheelsand screws N N may be simultaneously turned. The turning of the screws NN by the handle R causes the table E to move vertically, and when thetable is at the desired adjustment it is clamped firmly in place by thefollowing-described means: Two studs S S pass loosely through verticalslots in the plate F and are made fast to the plate G. (See Fig. 5.) Ayoke T connects the ends of the studs S S, and the position of the yokeis made adjustable by the nuts U U screwed on the studs. A lever V isjournaled on the shaft Q. The hub of the lever V is connected to theyoke T by the toggle-link XV. \Vhen the lever V is moved so as tostraighten the toggle, as shown in Fig. 5, the plate G is drawn tightlyagainst the plate F, and this same movement clamps the shaft Q.

Other in cans for adjusting and clamping the table E than thosedescribed and shown in the drawings may evidently be used withoutdeparting from my invention.

A mold-plate is shown at A carrying eighteen capsule-mold pins B. Thismold-plate rests on the top of the table E and is held in position onthe two sides and back by strips 0 fixed to the table. On the front themold-plate is held and clai'nped in position by one or more movable dogsl). This dog passes through a slot in the table, the upper end pressingagainst the edge of the moldplate.

The dog is carried on a rod E, on which it can slide. It is forcedinward by a spring F, and is held from moving too far by a collar G onthe rod E. The inner end of the rod E is pivoted to a block II, whichslides in a notch formed in the plate F. The outer end of the rod E isconnected to a crank-shaft I journaled in lugs fixed to the table. Ahandle J (see Figs. 1 and 2) is fixed to crankshaft 1 and serves to turnit. The handle is provided with suitable catch and stops K K to hold itin its extreme positions. The circular motion of the outer end of therod E and the linear motion of its inner end causes the dog D to moveback and down below the surface of the table when the handle J is moveddown to its lower stop K, thus leaving the table clear for placing themold-plates and removing them.

The cutters are in the form of round disks (1, with sharp edges. (SeeFigs. 3 to 6.) These cutters are suitably journaled on the ends of armsZ), which are secured at their other ends to revolving heads 0. Eachhead 0 is secured to one end of a hollow shaft (Z, which is journaled inthe top plate 13, and the bar 6 fixed to said top plate. Each shaft (Zhas a pinion f fixed to it and another pinion g loose upon it. Thealternate shafts (Z have the fixed pinion above the loose one, while theother shafts have the fixed pinion below the loose one. All the upperpinions on all the shafts gear into each other and form one set, whileall the lower pinions gear into each other and form a second set.

One set of pinions is driven by one of the gears h and the other set isdriven by the other gear 71. The gears h are preferably double thediameter of the pinions f and g,

so that one-half revolution of h will cause a complete revolution of thepinions.

The gears h are fixed to shafts 1', which are journaled in the frame,and are driven by shaftj through miter-gears 7t 7a. The shaftj is alsojournaled in the frame, and has fixed to it a gear-wheel Z. The gear Zengages a segmental gear on (see Fig. 2) fixed to the main shaft M.

There are two rollers 17. n, which turn on journals fixed to thegear-Wheel Z. These rollers roll 011 the edge of a circular flange 0fixed concentric on the shaft M. The rollers 72- 91 when in contact withthe flange o prevent the shaft j and the cutter'heads c from turning.That part of the flange 0 opposite to the segmental gear on is cut away,so that when the gear m engages the gearl the latter is turned through alittle more than one hundred and eighty degrees, until the gear m isdisengaged from gear I, when one of the roll ers it comes in contactwith the inclined part 1) of the flange 0. The roller 72., in moving upon the incline 17, turns the shaft j slightly backward and then locksthe shaft again, when both rollers are on the cylindrical part of theflange 0.

Besides the cutter-arm I), each of thehcads c has fixed to it one ormore push-arms q. Each puslrarm is provided at its free end with a lip rprojecting inward toward the mold-pin. (See Figs. 3 to 6.)

All the cutter and push-arms are flattened near where they are connectedto the heads 0, so as to form springs.

The spring part of the arms are bent to such a form that the free endsof the arms all tend to press inward toward the mold-pin. They are allheld out by spreader-rods s s, passing down through the centers of thehollow shafts cl d.

Each cutter and push-arm has a cam-shaped projection 25 on its innerside below the spring, which bears against the spreader-rod and holdsthe free end of the arm back. The cams t on the cutter-arms are notopposite the cams on the push-arms. The spreaderrods are reduced indiameter, as shown at e.

\Vhen the spreader-rods-are in the position shown in Fig. 3, the cuttersand pushers are all held back. If the spreader-rod be pushed down, thecam 75 on the cutter-arm will enter the reduced part c and let thecutter in against the mold-pin, but still hold the pushers out. If thespreader be pushed still farther down, the cam '15 of the cutter-armwill ride up on the rod again and move the cutter out, while the cam ion the pusher will enter the reduced part i) and let the pushers inagainst the mold-pin. The return of the spreader to its originalposition will bring the cutter and push-arms to their originalpositions. (Shown in Figs. 3 and 6.)

Motion is given to the spreader-rods by the means described as follows:All the spreaderrods are connected to a plate a, forming part of thespreader-head I). This head has connected to it two rods 0' c, which areguided for vertical motion by slides (1 cl on the frame. Each rod has aroller 6' journaled to it, which roller travels on the edge of a camdiskf, fixed to the main shaft M. The profile of this cam is shown at f,Fig. 2, which also shows the profile of the table-lifting cam L.

Motion is given to the machine through a pulley g mounted loosely on themain shaft M. The hub of the pulley has formed upon it the teeth h of aclutch. The other half t" of the clutch is connected to rods j, whichslide parallel to the shaft in a hub is, which is fixed to the shaft.The ends of the rodsj are connected together by a plate Z, and thisplate has fixed to it an inclined lug n. A similar but reversed lug o isfixed to a collar which encircles the hub 7c, and in which the hubfreely turns. The collar is formed with an arm m, which is connected bya rod 19 to the end of a lever g, which latter is fixed to a shaft 0*journaled in the frame. Springs k are seated in the hub is, and arrangedto force the half-clutch 1 into engagement with the half-clutch h. Tothe shaft 0" is fixed an arm 8, which engages at its free end with a lugt fixed to one of the .cams f. To the same shaft is fixed an arm 2;,connected by a rod w with the starting-lever x. A spring 2 holds theseparts in the position shown in Fig. 2.

The form of driving mechanism, clutch and starting mechanism describedand shown .in the drawings is -well adapted for the work; but any otherform which will give the required intermittent motion of the main shaftmay be used.

The starting mechanism may be connected to the plate-locking handle J,so that the motion of locking the mold-plates will start the machine;also the handle J may be unlocked automatically during the descent ofthe table E. These are conveniences which add to the rapidity ofoperation of the machine.

The operation of the machine is described as follows: The machine beingat rest, the handle V is moved to unclamp plate F from plate G. ThehandleR is then moved to raise or lower the table E to an adjustmentgiving the desired length of capsule. The plates F and G are thenclamped by handle V. The mold plate or plates, having the mold-pinscovered with gelatine, or other substance of proper consistence, arethen placed on the table and moved back against the stop 0. Thelocking-handle J is then turned so as to throw the dogs D up and lockthe plates in position. The starting-handle so is next moved so as tothrow the end of arm S out of engagement with lug t and at the same timemove the arm m so that the inclined lug 0 travels past the lug n. Thismotion unlocks the main shaft M and also permits the two halves of theclutch h t" to be brought into engagement with each other by the springs70 so that the motion of the pulley g is communicated to the shaft M.The shaft M revolves until the inclined lug n moves up onto the lug 0and draws the half-clutch 2" out of engagement with the half-clutch h,when the motion of the shaft ceases and is positively stopped by the lugt coming in contact with the end of arms 5. During the one completerevolution of the main shaft the motion of the other parts succeed eachother in the following order: The table is first raised by the cam Ltill the cut-0E line is directly opposite the edge of the cutters andrests in that position. Next the spreader-rods are moved down by cam f,which lets the cutters in against the mold-pins and then rest. Thesegmental gear m then engages the gear Z, which causes the cutters toturn about and in contact with the mold-pins and cut off the capsule.Near the end of this last movement the spreaders are moved down so as tothrow the cutters out and then rest. At about the same time the roller01, traveling on the incline 19, turns the cutters back to theiroriginal position, where they rest and are locked by the two rollers nn, resting on the circular flange 0. Next the table is raised by cam Luntil the cut-off line comes just opposite the lips r of the pushers andthen comes to rest. The spreaders are then moved down, letting the lipsof the pushers in against the moldpins and they rest. The table is thenraised again and the refuse is pushed back on the mold-pins, as shown inFig. 3, and it rests. The spreaders are then raised by the cam f totheir original position, (shown in Fig. 3,) thus moving and holding thecutter and pusharms out and they rest. The table is now lowered by thecam L, which is positively stopped in its original position by the lugIf and arm .9. The locking-handle J is next thrown down, and themold-plates removed, thus completing the cycle.

WVhat we claim is 1. In a machine for trimming gelatine capsules, thecombination of a table for holding the molds, a cutter adapted to rollin contact with the capsule whereby the lower edge of the capsule istrimmed oft, a push-lip, having its edge arranged at right angles to theaxis of said capsule and adapted toengage in the cut formed by saidcutter at the time that said cutter is disengaged therefrom, and meansfor adjusting said table, whereby the refuse is pushed back in a lineparallel with the axis of said capsule, substantially as described.

2. In a capsule-trimming machine, the combination of a supporting-framewith a table supported in said frame, arms supported at the lower endsof hollow shafts, revolving cutters and push-lips secured at the lowerends of said arms, adjustable rods within said hollow shafts having areduced part at their lower ends, lugs on said arms adapted to en gagethe lower ends and reduced parts of said rods, whereby said cutters andpush-lips are forced into and out of engagement with said capsules, andmeans for revolving said hollow shafts whereby said cutters andpush-lips aremade to turn around said capsules, substantially as and forthe purpose described.

3. In a capsule-trimming machine, the combination of a supporting-frame,a table adapted to support the plate carrying mold-pins, hollow shafts journaled in the upper end of said supporting-frame, cutters andpush-lips supported from the lower ends of said hollow shafts, means forrotating said hollow shafts whereby said cutters and push-lips are madeto turn around said capsules, rods within said hollow shafts havingtheir upper ends engaged with a yoke, cam-wheels supported on a shaftjournaled in said frame and adapted to raise and lower said rods wherebysaid cutters and push-lips are brought into and out of engagement withsaid capsules, means for driving said shaft, and means for stopping saidshaft at every complete revolution, substantially as, and for thepurpose described.

4:. In a capsule-trimming machine, the combination of asupporting-frame, a table adj ustably supported in said frame, verticalhollow shafts journaled in the upper end of the frame, sprin g-armssupported at the lower ends of said hollow shafts, revolving cutters andpush-lips secured at the lower ends of said spring-arms, adjustable rodswithin said hollow shafts having a reduced part at their lower ends,lugs on said spring-arms adapted to engage the lower ends and reducedparts of said rods whereby said cutters and pushlips are forced out of,or allowed to spring into engagement with the capsules, and means forrevolving said hollow shafts whereby said cutters are made to rollaround and trim said capsules, substantially as and for the purposedescribed.

5. In acapsuletrimming machine, the combination of a supporting-frame, atable mounted in said frame, adapted to support plates carryingmold-pins, cutters and push-lips adapted to rotate around saidmold-pins, means whereby said mold-pins are given an intermittentmovement with respect to the cutters and push-lips, and means wherebysaid cutters and push-lips are swung into and outof engagement with saidmold-pins, substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. In a capsule-trimming machine, the combination of a supporting-frame,an auxiliary frame guided in ways formed in said supporting-frame andcarrying a table, said table adapted to support a plate having mold-pinsmounted thereon, means whereby said plate is firmly secured to saidtable, a shaft carrying rollers at its outer ends, journaledin saidauxiliary frame, a second shaft journaled in said supporting-frame, andcarrying camwheels adapted to engage with said rollers whereby saidauxiliary frame is compelled to rise and lower at every completerevolution of said cam-wheels, a loose driving-pulley mounted on saidsecond shaft, and means for starting and stopping said cam-wheels atevery complete revolution, substantially as and for the purposedescribed.

In testimony whereof we sign this specification in the presence of twowitnesses.

FREDERICK A. I-IUBEL. JESSE M. SMITH. Witnesses:

CHARLES F. BURTON, FRANCES CLoUcH.

